Foldable intraocular lens and improved fold retaining means

Abstract

A foldable intraocular lens is releasably retained in folded configuration for implanting, by suturing through apertures adjacent its peripheral edge, or by structure which is integral with the lens. An elongated lens is disclosed, wherein the retaining means and haptics are located on extended upper and lower ends of the lens, out of the field of vision.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A folded intraocular lens comprising, a resiliently foldable lens which is folded about a central axis of folding so that a first half of the lens overlies a second half thereof and corresponding lens edge portions on each side of the axis of folding are juxtaposed,   each half of said lens having at least one aperture extending perpendicularly through it adjacent said edge portion, the apertures positioned on the respective lens halves so that the apertures of the folded lens are aligned opposite one another, and   retaining means holding the lens in such folded configuration, said retaining means comprising a length of suture which extends through and directly between the aligned apertures of the overlying lens halves,   said retaining means also including a portion which prevents said length of suture from passing through the apertures,   the resiliency of the lens tending to unfold the lens and holding said length of suture in tension between said apertures.   
     
     
       2. The folded lens of claim 1 wherein said lens is elongated with a major dimension which is greater than its minor dimension, said lens having a generally circular vision area of diameter which is sufficient that, when the lens has been implanted into an eye, it provides an optically unobstructed field of vision through the lens, even if the lens become decentered within the eye, said lens also having end portions contiguous with and adjacent to said field of vision and oriented along said major dimension, said end portions lying beyond the field of vision through the lens when implanted,   at least one said aperture being located in each end portion, outside said field of vision.   
     
     
       3. The folded lens of claim 2 wherein said lens is elliptical, said apertures being located midway between the major and minor dimensions of the lens. 
     
     
       4. The folded lens of claim 3 wherein two such apertures are located on each lens half, the apertures of each half positioned to align with the respective apertures of the other half, and two separate lengths of suture extend through the aligned pair of apertures.   
     
     
       5. The folded lens of claim 4 wherein the retaining means is tied on itself as a loop. 
     
     
       6. A folded intraocular lens comprising, a resiliently foldable lens which is folded about a central axis of folding so that a first half of the lens overlies a second half thereof and corresponding lens edge portions on each side of the axis of folding are juxtaposed,   each half of said lens having at least one aperture extending perpendicularly through it adjacent said edge portion, the apertures positioned on the respective lens halves so that the apertures of the folded lens are aligned opposite one another, and   retaining means holding the lens in such folded configuration, said retaining means comprising a length of suture which extends through and directly between the aligned apertures of the overlying lens halves,   said retaining means also including a portion which prevents said length of suture from passing through the apertures,   the resiliency of the lens tending to unfold the lens and holding said length of suture in tension between said apertures,   said lens being elongated with a major dimension which is greater than its minor dimension, and having a generally circular vision area of diameter which is sufficient that, when the lens has been implanted into an eye, it provides an optically unobstructed field of vision through the lens, even if the lens becomes decentered within the eye,   said lens also having end portions contiguous with and adjacent to said field of vision and oriented along said major dimension, said end portions lying beyond the field of vision through the lens when implanted,   at least one said aperture being located in each end portion, outside said field of vision,   said lens being elliptical, said apertures being located between the major and minor dimensions of the lens,   two such apertures being located on each lens half, the apertures of each half positioned to align with the respective apertures of the other half,   two separate lengths of suture extending through the aligned pair of apertures, each such length of suture forming a loop,   said retaining means having stops which abut the outside of the folded lens and thereby prevent the lens from unfolding.